Baby protective signal system for cribs



Dec. 31, 1957 P. JQGOLLHOFER 2,

BABY PROTECTIVE SIGNAL SYSTEM FOR CRIBS Filed Dec. 7, 1956 Fig./

34 Paul J. Gal/hofer INVENTOR. B; amgz United States PatentO BABYPROTECTIVE SIGNAL SYSTEM FOR CRIBS Paul J. Gollhofer, Babylon, N. Y.

Application December 7, 1956, Serial No. 626,931

3 Claims. (Cl. 200-85) This invention relates to an electrical signalapparatus and more particularly to a device adapted to protect a babyfrom unauthorized removal from a crib.

The primary object of the present invention resides in the provision ofa baby protective signal device which will function as soon as a baby islifted from a crib.

The construction of this invention features the novel arrangement ofparts including a pair of sections of a mattress supporting structurewhich are hingedly secured together and function to close a pair ofcontacts by being resiliently urged to an obtuse angle relative to eachother when a baby is raised from the mattress on which he or she hasbeen positioned.

Still further objects and features of this invention resides in theprovision of a baby protective signal device for increasing the safetyof a baby within a crib by warning a parent or guardian of a baby thatthe baby has been raised from the mattress thus thwarting thepossibility of theft or kidnapping of the baby.

These, together with the various ancillary objects and features of theinvention which will become apparent as the following descriptionproceeds, are attained by this baby protective signal system for cribs,a preferred embodiment of which has been illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, by way of example only, wherein:

Figure l is a side elevational view of the device comprising the presentinvention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional detail view illustrating themanner in which the device functions to complete an operative electricalcircuit when the baby is removed from a position on the mattress; and

Figure 3 is a perspective view of important portions of the inventioncomprising the sections of the mattress supporting structure, the hingemeans and the contacts.

With continuing reference to the accompanying drawings wherein likereference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views,reference numeral generally designates a crib having a framework 12 ofany suitable construction on which a mattress supporting structure 14 isadapted to seat. This mattress supporting structure may be positioned onthe framework 12 and preferably consists of a pair of sections or plates16 and 18 which may be formed of imperforate sheets of material or thelike. The sections 16 and 18 are hingedly secured to each other by meansof hinge straps 20 and 22. It is noted that the hinge straps have theirends 24, 26 and 28, 30 extending at an obtuse angle relative to eachother with the ends being riveted as at 32 and 34 to the respectivesections 16 and 18. Because of the resilient construction of the springstraps 20, the sections 16 and 18 are normally urged into a positionwhere they make an obtuse angle relative to each other.

If desired, the sections 16 and 18 may be formed of any suitable plasticmaterial it being recognized that other materials can be utilized.

2,818,477 Patented Dec. 31, 1957 An insulative block 36 is riveted as at38 to the first contact 40 in the form of a strap held to the insulativeplate 36 by means of rivets 38. A first conductor 42 is connected to thestrap 40 and to a battery 44.

The first contact 40 is adapted to engage a second contact 46 to which aconductor 48 is connected, the conductor 48 also being connected to abell 50 or other suitable audible alann device or visual signal deviceas may be desired. A conductor 52 connects the battery 44 to the bell 50so that an operative electrical circuit between the battery 44 and thebell 50 is completed when the contact 40 engages the contact 46 in theposition shown in Figure 2. However, when a baby is resting on amattress 52 supported by the mattress supporting structure 14, thesections 16 and 18 will be coplanar with the spacer block 36 holding thecontact 40 in spaced relationship with respect to the contact 46 to openthe circuit. Hence, when a person removes the baby from position on themattress 52, the alarm 50 will sound. A hidden master control switch 56may be provided for setting the device if desired.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A baby protective signal device for cribs having a crib framework anda mattress supporting structure car ried by said framework, saidmattress supporting structure comprising a pair of sections, meanshingedly securing said sections together, a first contact secured to oneof said sections, a second contact secured to the second of saidsections, said first contact being spaced from said second contact whensaid sections are coplanar, said means resiliently urging said sectionsto form an obtuse angle with respect to each, other with said firstcontact engaging said second contact when said sections form an obtuseangle, said means including spring straps, said sections comprising apair of plates, said straps having the ends thereof riveted to saidplates, the ends of said strap normally extending at an obtuse anglerelative to each other in an unstressed state.

2. A baby protective signal device for cribs having a crib framework anda mattress supporting structure carried by said framework, said mattresssupporting structure comprising a pair of sections, means hingedlysecuring said sections together, a first contact secured to one of saidsections, a second contact secured to the second of said sections, saidfirst contact being spaced from said second contact when said sectionsare coplanar, said means resiliently urging said sections to form anobtuse angle with respect to each other with said first contact engagingsaid second contact when said sections form an obtuse angle, said meansincluding spring straps terminally secured to said sections, said firstcontact extending between said sections and underlying said secondsection and said second contact.

3. A baby protective signal device for cribs having a crib framework anda mattress supporting structure carried by said framework, said mattresssupporting structure comprising a pair of sections, means hingedlysecuring said sections together, a first contact secured to one of saidsections, a second contact secured to the second of said sections, saidfirst contact being spaced from said second contact when said sectionsare coplanar, said means resiliently urging said sections to form anobtuse angle with respect to each other with said first contact engagingsaid second contact when said sections form an obtuse angle, said meansincluding spring straps, said sections comprising a pair of plates, saidstraps having the ends thereof riveted to said plates, the ends of saidstrap normally extending at an obtuse angle relative to each other in anunstressed state, said first contact extending between said sections andunderlying said second section and said second contact.

References Cited in the file of this patent

